Improvement in dental cotton-holders



P. T. SMITH. DENTAL COTTON HOLDERS.

Patented Aug. 29, 1876.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIGE.

PIERCE T. SMITH, OF BURLINGTON, A ssIeNOR or ONE-HALF 111s RIGHT T0 JOHN RIX, 0F FORT MADISON, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT lN DENTAL COTTON-HOLDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 181,736, dated August 29, 1876; application filed February 26, 1876.

ful Improvement in Dental Cotton Holders.

which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In the practice of dentistry cotton is largely used for drying out cavities of decay in teeth While undergoing the process of excavation, a small quantity being taken from the general mass and used'as pellets.

The object of my invention is to supply dentists With a device to facilitate the use of this cotton.

The invention consists of an upright hollow cylinder, Figure 1, closed at both ends, the upper end being adjustable, with a hole in the center. Within this cylinder, Fig. 2, is a conical spiral spring, a, the upper end of which is fastened to a follower, b, of a diameter to fit the cylinder. The cover or upper end, Fig. 3, is made with a flange dipping down into the cylinder, in which, at opposite sides, are cut right-angled slots, to receive corresponding pins in the cylinder, allowing by this device an easy removal of the cover, andholding it firmly in position when closed.

When in use, cotton occupies'the space between the follower and cover. By the pressure of the spring the cotton is constantly pressed against the cover, being then easily reachedgwith the fingers of the operator through the hole in the cover. The bottom'is to be loaded with lead, or otherwise made heavy, so that the power required to tear off a piece of cotton will not raise the device.

I claim as my invention- In an instrument for holding dental cotton,.tl1e combination of the hollow cylinder, the adjustable cover with hole in center, and the conical spiral spring with follower and loaded bottom, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

PIERCE T. SMITH.

Witnesses:

JOHN 0. POWER, J. A. SMITH. 

